Powered Industrial Truck Safety

Dow Aero ("Company") aims to minimize hazards associated with powered industrial trucks, a.k.a. forklifts and scissor lift, through the use of protective devices, pre-use inspections, safe operating procedures, and employee training and certification. The following policies and protocols align with Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") Rule 29 CFR 1910.178, along with other supporting rule(s). If discrepancies exist between this policy and OSHA regulation, the regulation shall govern, and Environmental Health & Safety ("EHS") personnel shall be notified immediately.

Scope

These policies and protocols apply to all employees who operate powered industrial trucks for Company purposes; vendors and independent contractors may use this equipment when abiding by additional conditions (identified below). These requirements do not apply to compressed air or nonflammable compressed gas-operated industrial trucks, farm vehicles, or vehicles intended primarily for earthmoving or hauling.

Responsibilities

Environmental Health and Safety ("EHS")

EHS is responsible for:

  • Analyzing accidents involving powered industrial trucks, as appropriate; and

  • Selecting and approving designations for powered industrial trucks used indoors or in hazardous areas.

Supervisors and Managers

Supervisors and Managers are responsible for:

  • Guaranteeing that employees required to use powered industrial trucks are trained upon initial assignment and every three years thereafter;

  • Confirming that employees required to operate powered industrial trucks are certified;

  • Evaluating the performance of powered industrial truck operators to ensure that they comply with safety rules, including daily pre-use inspections;

  • Ensuring that powered industrial trucks under their control are approved for the environment in which they are being used; and

  • Verifying that powered industrial trucks are equipped with necessary safety equipment.

    • (e.g., flashing lights, audible alarms, safety harness, etc.)

Employees

Powered industrial trucks operators are responsible for:

  • Operating safely;

  • Completing required training;

  • Conducting daily inspections;

    • Monthly as well, if necessary.

  • Maintaining a valid up to date certification.

  • Notifying their superior if they are unfamiliar with a load or believe a load is not safe to lift.

    • This can also include when the environment is not safe to operate within.

  • Informing their superiors of any safety-related problems and equipment.

Hazard Prevention and Control

General

  • All powered industrial trucks shall comply with what they were designed for;

  • Nameplates, model number, type designation, and load capacity shall be legible.

  • When equipped with special lifting attachments, they shall be marked describing the related capacity modifications.

    • CHECK FOR A LABEL ON THE EQUIPMENT

  • Modifications and structural changes shall be approved by the manufacturer or constructed with good engineering principles.

    • Capacity, operation, and instruction plates shall be changed accordingly.

Mandatory Equipment

Powered industrial trucks must be equipped with certain mandatory features. Also, special equipment may be required for certain operations. Contact Environmental Health & Safety ("EH&S") to determine if special equipment is necessary. Mandatory features include:

  • Seat belts;

  • Safety Harness;

  • Overhead protection;

  • Manufacturer's capacity plate;

  • Brakes; and

  • Warning device.

    • e.g., horn, backup alarm, strobe light, etc.

Rules for Operators

Select here for forklift operating instructions >

Training

Employees shall receive the following before being authorized to operate any powered industrial truck:

  • Training for general operating rules;

  • Hands-on refueling/rechanging procedure; and

  • Company certification.

Frequency

Renewal of certification is generally required for powered industrial trucks after three (3) years.

Recordkeeping

An operator shall inspect a powered industrial truck before operation. These records shall be maintained per Environmental Health & Safety recordkeeping policies.

Training records shall be maintained per Dow Aero Human Resources department record keeping policies.

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